Twins Study Spots Three Rheumatoid Arthritis Genes

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Twins Study Spots Three Rheumatoid Arthritis Genes

07.12.06, 12:00 AM ET

WEDNESDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- A study of identical twins has

uncovered three genes that may be associated with rheumatoid

arthritis, researchers report.

The specific cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, but the

chronic inflammatory joint disease has been linked to an inherited

susceptibility. However, the occurrence of the illness among siblings

seems to be random.

In this study, researchers at the University of Michigan Medical

Center conducted genetic analyses of 11 pairs of twins. In each pair,

one twin had rheumatoid arthritis, while the other twin did not have

the disease.

The study found that three genes were significantly over-expressed in

the cells of the twins with rheumatoid arthritis, compared to their

healthy siblings. The gene that was most significantly over-expressed

was laeverin, an enzyme that works to degrade proteins.

The other over-expressed genes were 11B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

type 2 (11B-HSD2) -- a steroid pathway enzyme linked to inflammation

and bone erosion -- and cysteine-rich, angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61),

which plays a role in the formation of new blood vessels.

The study was published in the July issue of the journal Arthritis &

Rheumatism.

The finding that these three genes are over-expressed in rheumatoid

arthritis patients supports the promise of microarray analysis in

order to learn more about the genetic components of rheumatoid

arthritis and to identify people who might benefit from therapeutic

intervention, the study authors said.

http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/07/12/

hscout533515.html